Kremlin Refuses to Comment on Wagner Group Leader’s Whereabouts After Short-Lived Mutiny

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has claimed that the leader of the Wagner Group, a private military contractor, is in Russia and his troops are in their field camps. The claim comes after a short-lived mutiny against the Kremlin led by the Wagner Group.

The Wagner Group is headed by Yevgeny Prigozhin, and footage of his home has been released, showing the opulence of his lifestyle. The footage also shows bars of gold, boxes filled with reams of cash, several passports, a cache of weapons, various items bearing the Wagner insignia and multiple wigs.

The Kremlin has refused to comment on Prigozhin’s whereabouts, and NBC News was not able to independently verify Lukashenko’s claim. However, Russian media have said the Wagner chief was recently spotted at his offices in St. Petersburg, and pro-Kremlin outlets published photos Thursday purportedly taken inside.

Ukraine’s security service has also claimed that Russian generals supported the Wagner Group during the mutiny, raising questions about the deal that ended the challenge to President Vladimir Putin’s rule. It is unclear if the revolt is truly over, or if there are more challenges to come.